<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THE A. T. CROSS COMPANY ANNUAL REPORT TO SECURITY HOLDERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996 <CASH> 43,461,006 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 46,522,281 <ALLOWANCES> 1,552,000 <INVENTORY> 26,173,573 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 119,371,883 <PP&E> 104,458,449 <DEPRECIATION> 64,133,753 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 175,190,535 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 42,890,610 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 17,087,212 <OTHER-SE> 109,703,713 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 175,190,535 <SALES> 179,203,443 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 181,554,512 <CGS> 94,092,978 <TOTAL-COSTS> 0 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 77,480,616 <LOSS-PROVISION> 342,977 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 260,015 <INCOME-PRETAX> 9,377,926 <INCOME-TAX> 2,772,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 6,605,926 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 6,605,926 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.40 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.40